Hoosiers inch way back into Big Ten race

The Hoosiers' 67-59 victory at Northwestern Sunday gave them a 4-1 conference record, which ties them with Michigan and Wisconsin for second, a half-game behind 5-1 Michigan State.

Second-ranked Indiana (16-2) needed a bounce-back performance after losing to Wisconsin last Tuesday. It faced a Northwestern team that had lost its last two home games, and four of its last six at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Reggie Hearn, a former Snider standout, led the Wildcats (11-8, 2-4) with 22 points, one off his career high. He has 42 points in his last two games.

Hearn played all 40 minutes. He was 7-for-12 from the field and 8-for-9 from the line. He added three rebounds, one assist and one block.

Indiana guard Victor Oladipo left the game briefly in the second half with a head/eye injury, but soon returned.

The Hoosiers needed him. He finished with seven points, six rebounds and five assists.

Indiana took charge early behind Watford, who once again got off to a strong start. The Hoosiers used a 9-0 run to build a 12-4 lead. They pushed ahead by as many as 15 points before settling for a 31-17 halftime lead.

IU shot 44.4 percent in the first half. Cody Zeller had seven points and eight rebounds.

The Hoosiers' recent second-half struggles resurfaced. They fouled early and often. Their lead was cut to six. But a big three-pointer from Oladipo and a mid-range jumper from Will Sheehey (who broke a two-game scoreless streak) helped IU hold on for the victory.